Reports say Napoli paid around €40 million ($52 million) for the Argentinian.

Higuain has been outspoken about his desire to move elsewhere this summer, although he was almost convinced by new manager Carlo Ancelotti to stay.

Over 6-1/2 seasons with Real Madrid, the 25-year-old racked up 122 goals in 262 matches across all competitions, although he was always rotated in and out of the squad with the presence of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Confirmation of the transfer solidifies the miss for Arsenal, who were rumored for the last month or two to be the frontrunners for the deal. However, with Higuain stalling until finding out what his role with Madrid would be under Ancelotti, Arsenal and the player drifted apart, and Napoli capitalized.

New Napoli manager Rafa Benitez was beaming about the signing, with the departure of Edinson Cavani leaving a giant gap up front.

“We have signed a player who comes from Real Madrid and we have signed a striker who has scored a hatful of goals and who will adapt very well to our system – an attacking system. We needed a player like this” said Benitez.

The Azzurri will be hoping Higuain has the same effect as countrymate Diego Maradona did for the club in the late 1980’s, when he propelled Napoli to their only two Serie A titles in history.